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New Braunfels Herald Zeitung (Newspaper) - February 28, 1993, New Braunfels, Texas
, 6-A HERALD-ZEITUNG BUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1993
Editor:
I find it very disturbing that so many people seem to be supporting the Brady Bill.
This bill, if it becomes law, will have no, or very little impact on criminals. What it will do is waste tax dollars and the time of law enforcement personnel, on conducting background checks.
It will also cause some otherwise decent people to acquire their firearms from sources outside legal channels in an attempt to avoid government involve--ment.
Instead of making matters worse by passing the Brady Bill, the government should try to find a simple and cost effective method to make it more difficult for criminals to acquire firearms.
One of the simplest ways would be to require all firearms have the social security number of the purchaser permanently stamped on the frames at the time of purchase.
Such a marking system would be as effective as registration, and would be more likely to be complied with because many people fear the possible harassment, that tends to accompany government involvement.
The use of social security numbers to identify the owner of a firearm appears to have many benefits:
I. Using social security numbers to identify the owner of a firearm is very cost effective.
Unlike registration, background checks, and other systems requiring a government entity to approve the purchase of a firearm, the use of social security numbers cost the tax payers nothing.
The number is simply stamped on the gun at the time of purchase, thus avoiding the need for records to be kept and for extra
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personnel to conduct background checks.
Additionally, money is saved because there would be no lawsuits from people denied the ownership of a firearm as a result of the political aspirations of those in authority.
2. Using this system, instead of relying on the government, will result in a means of identifying the owner of a firearm that most people would probably be willing to comply with, instead of illegally circumventing.
Historically, laws requiring background checks or registration are not only unfairly administered, but are used as a means to identify the people who own firearms so they can be confiscated at some future date.
Additionally, background checks and other gun laws relying on the government can be used to keep minorities, most of whom are law abiding people, from obtaining firearms legally.
As a result, many otherwise decent people will go to almost any length to obtain their firearms in a manner that protects them from possible govern-
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However, by relying on social security numbers instead of the government, fewer decent people will acquire their firearms through questionable means.
Additionally, because of this marking system, most people would immediately report a stolen firearm. People would realize that since failing to report such a theft is illegal, the police may recover the gun and show up wanting answers.
Additionally, if the gun is stolen, the police would have no excuse for failing to return it.
3. Requiring guns to have the social security number of the owner stamped on them at the time of purchase will reduce the
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i Letters to the Editor
' Stamping firearms a simple solution
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